Monday, November 22, 2010

Another way to save your precious paper

I've had lots of positive feedback on my post about how to be efficient with your 12"x12" paper.  Here's another tip on how to get the most from your paper (especially the pretty patterned paper, which is always a limited resource.)  I have friends/customers (myself included) that just want to look at the nice, complete, brand new paper pack, but don't want to cut the papers...because if you cut into them, you can't look at them in their "mint condition"!  (sigh, it's a balance, loving paper...)  You may think I'm weird...or you may have felt this way, too, but thought you were the only one.  Don't worry, you are not alone. 

Anyway, on to the Saving-Of-The-Paper.

On my other post, I suggested making your card bases 4" x 5 1/2" (finished) instead of the standard 4 1/4" x 5 1/2".  If you buy cards that are already cut into the "normal" finished size of 4 1/4" x 5 1/2", or use 8 1/2" x 11" paper to cut your own card bases, smaller cards isn't really a convenient option.  I still have paper-saving ideas for you.  

IDEA:  Cut your "pretty" paper a little smaller, so that you have a 1/8" border around your card.



Pictures are better - this is what I'm talking about:

Card inspired by Antoinette Herrin

This card has the New England Ivy card stock border around it.  Even if your card is 4 1/4" wide, you can still use a 4" piece of patterned paper, like I did here.  You get more pieces from your 12x12 sheet.  6 pieces of the patterned paper that are 4" x 5 1/4".

This is in contrast to going all the way to the edge with your patterned paper, like this:

Designed by Linda Caler


I kind of like the border on the edge anyway, I think it makes a nice frame.

TIP:  If you didn't want to throw more paper on your card (I mean the solid frame), you can always INK your border color on the edge, using a sponge dauber or something.  The color will still set off the smaller patterned paper.

Items used:
Mistletoe Paper Pack (X7130B)
Mistletoe Creative Basics Collection (X5811)
Snow Days (C1420)
Colonial White Collection Designer Ribbon Rounds (Z1126)

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